Major Gift Officer

Whitney Museum of American Art•New York, NY

2d•$115,000 - $130,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Major Gifts Officer (MGO) will play a key role in securing philanthropic support for the museum by managing a portfolio of donors and prospects capable of making 5, 6 and 7 figure gifts. Reporting to the Director of Major and Principal Gifts, the MGO will contribute to the development and execution of the museum’s major gifts strategy through effective donor engagement, solicitation, and stewardship. This position requires a strong commitment to relationship-building, strategic thinking, and goal-oriented fundraising as well as a deep interest in contemporary art. The MGO will collaborate closely with colleagues across Advancement—including Individual Giving, Strategic Partnerships and Events, Advancement Operations, and Foundation, Government and Planned Giving—to align donor strategies with institutional priorities and maximize philanthropic impact.

Requirements

At least 8-10 years' experience in nonprofit advancement/major gifts fundraising; experience in museums or cultural institutions a plus
Track record of securing six figure+ commitments in non-profit or commercial sectors
Comfort managing and stewarding high-net-worth donors
Expert written and oral communication skills
Data-driven thinker with comfort leveraging Raiser’s Edge or related software
Self-starter with the ability to multi-task and prioritize requests
Strong organizational skills
Commitment to the value or arts in our society
Advanced computer skills and knowledge of Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Familiarity with Zoom and Basecamp
Knowledge of Raiser’s Edge or familiarity with database programs
Strong level of comfort with museums and the art world or cultural world
Collaborative with a drive to work with others

Nice To Haves

Experience in museums or cultural institutions a plus

Responsibilities

Build and manage a portfolio of 100–150 donors and prospects capable of giving $50,000 and above to the Whitney; carry and achieve an individual fundraising goal tied to the portfolio performance. Review and refresh portfolio based on updated research, interactions, and research.
Develop and execute strategies to deepen donor engagement and increase giving over time, leveraging events, programs and institutional touchpoints.
Craft compelling donor strategies tied to exhibitions, acquisitions, education, and other strategic priorities. Collaborate thoughtfully with senior leaders and colleagues across the Museum (including the museum Director, curators, educators, and other key stakeholders) in donor engagement, preparing meeting briefs and supporting materials.
Draft personalized proposals, gift agreements, and stewardship materials to support donor engagement and successful solicitations.
Represent the museum on- and off-site at donor events, committee meetings, openings and more.
Ensure growth of pipeline through cultivation of new prospects.
Deeply collaborate with departments across the museum and within the department to ensure a holistic donor approach, a unified fundraising effort, and accurate tracking.
Increase participation in Whitney’s planned giving program as appropriate.
Maintain responsibility for management of all gifts within your portfolio adhering to the Advancement Data Services processing procedures; upholding not for profit compliance, and ensuring timely and accurate stewardship of all donors
Effectively utilize the Museum’s CRM, Raiser’s Edge, to maintain records of contact with donors and prospects; analyze potential donor research materials to target appropriate givers; and track, evaluate and present relevant giving information.
Manage expense budgets and work with colleagues within the department to effectively maximize finite resources to work smart and not just hard.
Maintain fundraising schedules, objectives, databases and tracking systems for your area and ensure that plans are implemented, goals achieved, timely reports generated and information shared; ensure that fundraising is done in the most efficient and cost-effective way.
Ensure that all donors and patrons are appropriately recognized both publicly and privately and regularly communicated with; make donor stewardship a priority at all levels develop a stewardship program and administer the fulfillment
Creatively plan, organize, and manage patron level events, programs, travel, and other cultivation activities within the scope or the defined program and in support of the other major donor groups. Ensure that all programs reflect the unique mission of the Whitney in its commitment to supporting individual artists and meet the standards of excellence the Whitney strives to achieve
Be a committed collaborator, energize about the work of the Whitney with a solutions-oriented disposition energizing Major Gifts team
Maintain accurate and timely records of all donor interactions in Raiser’s Edge; utilize prospect research and giving data to inform strategy and portfolio decisions.
Monitor and report on personal fundraising activity and progress toward goals, ensuring effective management of donor pipelines and engagement plans.